Deficiency of c-Jun-NH₂-terminal kinase-1 in mice enhances skin tumor development by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

The c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK) has been implicated in regulating cell survival, apoptosis, and transformation. However, the distinct role of JNK isoforms in regulating tumor development is not yet clear. We have found previously that skin tumor formation induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), is suppressed in JNK2-deficient (Jnk2^-/-) mice. Here, we show that (JNK1-deficient (Jnk1^-/-) mice are more susceptible to TPA-induced skin tumor development than wild-type mice. The rate of tumor development in Jnkl^-/-mice was significantly more rapid than that observed in wild-type mice (P < 0.0001). At the end of 33 weeks of TPA promotion, the number of skin tumors and tumors > 1.5 mm in diameter per mouse in Jnk1^-/-mice was significantly increased by 71% (P < 0.03) and 82% (P < 0.03), respectively, relative to the wild-type mice. Furthermore, the carcinoma incidence and the number of carcinomas per mouse were also higher in Jnk1^-/-mice. Strikingly, Jnk1^-/-mouse skin was more sensitive to TPA-induced AP-1 DNA binding activity and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and Akt, which are two important survival signaling components. These results suggest that JNK1 is a crucial suppressor of skin tumor development.